Maha Shivaratri 2026 in Atlanta falls on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Nishita (midnight) moment is 12:51 AM EST.
The great night of Shiva. By different traditions it commemorates the night Shiva performed the Tandava (cosmic dance), the night he married Parvati, and the night he manifested as the infinite Jyotirlinga. Devotees keep an all-night vigil (jagarana), fast, and worship the Shivalinga through the four praharas of the night with abhisheka of water, milk, honey and bael leaves.
Temples overflow through the night with chants of "Om Namah Shivaya" and Rudrabhisheka. Major gatherings occur at the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, Kashi and Ujjain, and it is a national holiday across much of India and Nepal.
Unlike most festivals, the key observance is at night — the nishita (midnight) muhurat shown here. The fast is broken the next morning. Bael (bilva) leaves, considered dear to Shiva, are the essential offering.